An inquest in Southampton heard that operating on the 82-year-old was a “risk”, but that he would almost certainly have died had the operation not taken place.

The inquest was told that during the operation he inhaled gastric contents onto his lungs, and once his family had arrived a decision was made to turn off the ventilator.

Central Hampshire Coroner Grahame Short delivered a narrative verdict at the inquest, ruling that aspiration pneumonitis, the hip fracture and heart disease were all contributory factors in Mr Webley's death.

He said: “The actual operation was successfully completed, but it's clear that he was in a very poor state and never recovered.”